The Art Of Doing Nothing
Confession: I used to be a fixer. A problem arose? I'd FIX IT.
Which often meant forcing things in order to create an outcome I was sure was best for all concerned.
But best intentions aside, even if I was correct in my assertions (dubious), "fixing it" - forcing a solution onto a situation - usually just resulted in the creation of some new problem; Wack-A-Mole.
Hanging out with Buddhist Monks introduced me to the concept of "Not Doing."
It's an alien concept to Western minds; Gotta fix it. Gotta DO SOMETHING about "IT."
It's like stirring silt in a pond: Stop stirring. Let things settle. And the water becomes clear again, right?
And in this process, you're not actually "doing nothing."
Instead, you're doing something by being fully present for what's going on - what's happening within you and outside of you - being fully present and holding space for yourself and for those around you. That's not nothing - far from it.
It's just not twisting, wrenching, pushing, and shoving people and events to meet your own prescription.
"So what the hell does that have to do with naps," you ask?
It's a great way to resist the urge to do something. And when you wake up from a nap, it's unlikely you caused any suffering while asleep - unless you're a train conductor or something. Don't do that.
Meanwhile, that silt we talked about has had a chance to settle. Things almost always look a little clearer - or so I've found.
What to improve some situation or conundrum you’re facing? Get out there and don't do anything. Take a nap.
Cheers. 🙏
P.S. When I’m not passing out nuggets of wisdom or napping, I paint…
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